Suction cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclonic separators in suction cleaners face challenges in securely attaching filters due to small contact surface areas, leading to inefficiencies in dirt separation and potential re-entrainment of coarse dirt.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a recessed channel on the struts of the shroud structure to increase the adhesive contact area for attaching a screen, ensuring a secure and efficient filtration process by preventing coarse dirt re-entrainment and optimizing airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is attached to a shroud with small contact surface area, then the attachment structure is simple, but the filter attachment is insecure and allows dirt re-entrainment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter attachment securityVSAvoidshroud structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional surface attachment to a three-dimensional recessed channel attachment. The recessed channel provides depth and volume, creating multiple contact points and increasing the effective attachment surface area without significantly increasing the overall shroud structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The shroud structure is segmented into multiple struts, each potentially containing recessed channels. This segmentation allows the filter to be attached at multiple discrete locations, distributing the attachment forces and improving overall security while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the cyclone separator design is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but dirt separation efficiency decreases and coarse dirt re-entrainment occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecyclone separator manufacturingVSAvoiddirt separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by adding recessed channels specifically at the filter attachment locations on the struts. This localized modification improves filter security and separation efficiency without requiring complex changes to the entire cyclone separator structure, maintaining ease of manufacture while enhancing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If adhesive contact area is increased, then filter attachment is more secure, but the shroud structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bond strengthVSAvoidshroud structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed channel adds a third dimension (depth) to the attachment interface, increasing the adhesive contact area from a simple surface to a volumetric feature. This provides stronger bonding without requiring a proportionally larger overall structure, thus improving strength while limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances the secure attachment of filters, improving dirt separation efficiency and reducing turbulence, resulting in better separation of fine and coarse dirt, with reduced pressure losses and increased airflow smoothness.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone separator supplies a high speed rotating airflow into a generally cylindrical chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

A portion of dirt in the air stream is deposited from the air flow as it swirls around the cyclone chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

The strut provides a recessed channel configured to receive adhesive, and thereby secure the screen to the strut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3612074B1Suction cleaner
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD
  • EP3612074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3612074B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3612074B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including a plurality of cyclone separators arranged fluidly in parallel for separating fine dirt from an air flow, each providing: a body defining a central lengthwise axis, having a first portion at a first end that is substantially cylindrical, adjoining a second portion at a second end that is substantially frustoconical, the first and second portions defining a volume; a cyclone inlet towards the first end, configured to receive a swirling flow of air within the volume, a dirt outlet formed at the second end, and an end wall closing the volume at the first end around an annular vortex finder that extends coaxially with the lengthwise axis, defining a passage from a vortex finder inlet disposed within the volume of the body to a vortex finder outlet formed in the end wall, the dimensions of the cyclone separators conforming to the rule 0.3≤ D x / D≤ 0.42, wherein D represents the diameter of the first portion of the cyclone body, and D x represents the diameter of vortex finder.